Cactaceae plant named `Pasadena`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct plant variety of the Cactaceae family is of the type known commercially as a `Christmas Cactus` and has a growth habit which is similar to that of the `Kris Kringle` variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,688) but which, nevertheless, differs, among other things, by having phylloclades with thicker midribs, wider and thicker wings, longer teeth in greater number per phylloclade, and sterile flowers with wider tube laminating and tube forming tepals, fewer tube attached stamen that are greater in length, a stamen that is greater in length, and an ovary with longer major and minor axis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a new and distinct plant variety of theCactaceae family and which has been named the Zygocactus truncatus`Pasadena` by the inventor.

Certain plant varieties of the Cactaceae family are well known in thefoliage plant market and among these are those which are commonlyreferred to as the Christmas Cactus varieties because they tend to bloomduring the Thanksgiving-Christmas holiday season in the northernhemisphere.

The Christmas Cactus varieties on the market have blooms which vary incolor from one variety to the next as is evident from the current U.S.patent art. One of the more popular varieties sold commercially in themarket place is the variety that has been named Zygocactus truncatus`Kris Kingle`. The variety has a red colored bloom and forms the subjectmatter of U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,688.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A general objective has been to develop a new plant variety with a redcolored bloom and which is distinguishable from the `Kris Kringle`variety and capable of being marketed in competition therewith. Theobjective has been fully realized in the development of the new plantvariety hereinafter described in detail. The new plant variety wasdeveloped in a nursery located at Winter Garden, Fla., from a mutationthat appeared on a specimen of an unnamed research variety designatedZH11039, which was under cultivation at the nursery.

Through successive propagation of cuttings taken from the mutated plantpart, it has been ascertained that specimens of the new plant varietygenerally resemble the `Kris Kringle` variety in most respects but aredistinguishable from this variety and from other related varieties knownto the inventors by a growth habit which is evident in plant specimensof the new plant variety that have been propagated and grown undernursery conditions utilized in the growing of tropical plants in WinterGarden, Fla., as combining the following principal characteristics:

1. An erect growth habit,

2. Phylloclades which, in comparison to the `Kris Kringle` variety, have(a) midribs with generally greater thickness dimensions, (b) wings withgenerally greater thickness and width dimensions, and (c) teeth withgenerally greater length dimensions and in larger number perphylloclade.

3. Flowers which, in comparison to the `Kris Kringle` variety, aresterile and have (a) a tube laminating tepal series with generallygreater width dimensions, (b) a perianth tube that at the throat has agenerally longer major axis, (c) a tube forming series of tepals withgenerally greater width dimensions, (d) a tube attached group of stamensthat are generally fewer in number and generally greater in lengthdimensions, (e) a style that is generally greater in length dimensions,and (f) an ovary that at the major and minor axis is generally greaterin length.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings serve by color photographic means toillustrate the new plant variety and wherein one sheet shows a (6) monthold specimen which was grown from the propagation of a singlephylloclade in a conventional 3.5" plastic pot (trade designated size)found in the marketplace.

A second sheet shows an enlargement of a fully open bloom taken from thespecimen shown in the first mentioned sheet.

Still another sheet shows a bloom as sectioned generally longitudinallythrough the perianth tube and ovary to expose the style and stamenarrangement.

DETAILED PLANT DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of the new plant variety withcolors and hues, unless otherwise clearly indicated by the text, as forexample, through the absence of color notations, being named in accordwith the ISCC-NBS Method for Designating Colors (U.S. Department ofCommerce, National Bureau of Standards, Circular 553), the named colorsbeing interpreted from color notations derived by comparison with colorspecimens of the Munsell Book of Color. The description is further basedon observations of well fertilized plants about one year old frominitial propagation of a single phylloclade and which were grown under50-75% shaded glass house nursery conditions in the Winter Garden, Fla.area and wherein temperatures range from 60°-85° F. during the wintermonths, from 75°-95° during the summer months, and are ambient duringthe intervening periods.

I. Name: Zygocactus truncatus `Pasadena `.

II. Parentage: This variety was developed from a mutation that occurredon a plant specimen of an unnamed and unmarketed research varietydesignated as ZH11039.

III. Classification:

A. Botanic (Britton and Rose, The Cactaceae, Constable and Co., Ltd.,London 1937, Vol. IV).--(1) Family: Cactaceae. (2) Tribe: Cereeae. (3)Sub-Tribe: Epiphyllanae. (4) Genus: Zygocactus. (5) Species: truncatus(Haworth) Schumann.

B. Commercial.--Thanksgiving-Christmas blooming cactus.

IV. Form: Epiphylic and terrestrial, shade loving, succulent, leaflessplant with jointed and branched stems.

V. Stems:

A. General.--Irregular with usually multichotomous branching of bothupright and pendulous, adventitiously rootable, flattened phyllocladesthat have a prominent midrib and prominently toothed lateral wings.

B. Phylloclades.--(1) General: Elongated and flat with a transverselyelongated, areole bearing, truncated apex, with inwardly tapering basalwing margins that merge with a usually broadly pointed basal juncturewith the phylloclade therebelow, and with an axially located areoleusually being associated with each tooth. (2) Midrib: (a) General --Extends longitudinally of phylloclade and continuously through jointsand with a laterally tapering cortex at the wing insertions. Pithsurrounding vascular bundles of the vascular system to the marginalteeth. (b) Texture -- Smooth, waxy epidermis with wax in small embeddedscales and becoming woody in basal stem areas with specimen aging. (c)Size (at maturity) -- 1. Length: Usually 31-51 mm. (Avg.=40.3 mm.)(Dev.=5.05 mm.) 2. Thickness: Usually 3-9 mm. (Avg.=4.9 mm.) (Dev.=1.62mm.) (d) Color (at maturity) -- Usually dominated by a yellow greenand/or olive green hue. Commonly moderate yellow green (5 GY 5/6) (7.5GY 5/6) and/or moderate olive green (7.5 GY 4/6). (3) Wings: (a) General-- Dentate and generally flattened from midrib cortex to tooth insertionand with slight thinning taper toward margins. (b) Margins -- Toothed.(c) Texture -- Succulent to leathery with smooth, waxy epidermis wherethe wax is arranged in small embedded scales of higher density than inmidrib area, and becoming corky in the basal stem areas with specimenaging. (d) Size (at maturity) -- 1. Thickness: About 1.5-3.0 mm. in thearea intermediate the margin and midrib. (Avg.=2.3 mm.) (Dev.=0.40 mm.)2. Width -- Usually 12-19 mm. as measured from phylloclade axis to mostoffset lateral aerole. (Avg.=15.9 mm.) (Dev.=2.14) 3. Color (atmaturity) -- Usually dominated by an olive green hue. Commonly moderateolive green (7.5 GY 4/6) (7.5 GY 4/4). 4. Teeth: (a) Shape -- 1.General: Generally flattened and tapered along the margins and from thewing insertion to an apex having a hyaline, single cell, pointed spinewith nonpredictable bending. 2. Abaxial margin: Usually straight toconvex. 3. Adaxial margin: Usually straight to concave. (b) Orientation-- Generally project distally of phylloclade in an alternatearrangement. (c) Margins -- Entire. (d) Texture -- Succulent to leatherywith smooth waxy epidermis having wax in small embedded scales ofdensity comparable to wings, and becoming corky in basal stem areas withspecimen aging. (e) Size (at maturity) -- 1. Thickness: Usually 1-2 mm.in center area. (Avg.=1.5 mm.) (Dev.=0.36 mm.) 2. Areole to apexdimension (adaxial marginal side): Usually 6-13 mm. in the upperquadrants of the phylloclades. (Avg.=9.2 mm.) (Dev.=1.90 mm.) (f) Number-- Usually 8-12 per phylloclade. (g) Color -- Usually dominated by anolive green hue. Commonly moderate olive green (7.5 GY 4/4) (7.5 GY3/4). (5)Areoles: (a) Terminal areole -- Large, elongated, oval shapedwith several acicular bristles, and several buds that may mature intoeither new phylloclades or flowers. The opposite ends of the areole arelocated adjacent to subsidiary areoles which are in turn located at theaxil of the teeth at the distal end of the phylloclade. (b) Axillaryareoles -- Acicular bristles without glochidia but having copious,short, brownish, multicellular, wooly hairs. In areoles located belowthe teeth at the distal end of the phylloclade, there is usually onlyone areole which is frequently latent.

VI. Buds: Unarmored, ovoid and chlorophyllous.

VII. Flowers:

A. General.--Sessile, zygomorphic, usually solitary, terminal, perfectand epigynous with double hypanthium and whorled tepals(undifferentiated sepals and petals) having a spiral emergence as aperianth provided with a sepaloid series of free tepals, a tubelaminating series of tepals, and a tube forming series of united tepals.

B. Sepaloid series.--(1) General: Free tepals inserted on top of ovary.(2) Shape: Deltoid in outer members of whorl and grading inwardly in thewhorl to provide progressively greater length dimensions and broaderapices. All members have a pointed tip and entire margins with sparseirregular teeth appearing mainly in the apex areas of the inner membersof the whorl. (3) Texture: Succulent and glabrous outer whorl membersand grading inwardly in whorl to silken blades with fleshy basal areas.(4) Number: Usually 5-6. (5) Size (at full bloom): (a) Length (base-tipdimension) -- Usually less than 21 mm. (Avg.=11.4 mm.) (Dev.=5.23) (b)Width (maximum) -- Usually less than 14 mm. (Avg.=9.7) (Dev.=2.38) (6)Color (at full bloom): Varies from the outer members to the innermembers with the smallest outer whorl tepals usually having a marginalblade area that in color is dominated by a yellowish pink, pink, and/orred hue, and a center field area that is dominated by a yellow greenhue. The inner whorl tepal members have marginal and center blade areasthat in color are usually dominated by red hues that project proximallyinto a basal area that is dominated by a yellow green hue. Commonlymoderate red (5 R 5/10), strong red (5 R 5/12), and/or vivid red (5 R4/14) in marginal and center field areas of inner whorl members and paleyellow green (5 GY 9/2) and/or light yellow green (5 GY 9/4) in thebasal area. Commonly deep pink (5 R 6/10), moderate red (5 R 5/10),strong red (5 R 5/12), and/or strong yellowish pink (5 R 7/8) inmarginal areas and merging with a center field and basal area that iscommonly strong yellow green (5 GY 7/10) (5 GY 6/8) (2.5 GY 6/8) (2.5 GY7/8) in the outer whorl members. (7 ) Orientation: Erect to recurve atfull bloom.

C. Tube laminating series.--(1) General: Tepals inserted on ovary andbasally united below the throat as outer lamination on the perianth tubeand with progressively greater amount of basal fusion inwardly in thewhorl. (2) Shape: Zygomorphic and grading inwardly in the whorl withprogressively greater length dimensions and broader apices so that theblade area changes inwardly in the whorl from ovate with an acute tip tospatulate with a rounded to obtuse tip. Entire margins with sparse,irregular teeth mainly in apex areas. (3) Texture: Succulent andglabrous outer whorl members and grading inwardly to silken blades withslightly fleshy basal areas. (4) Number: Usually 5-8 tepals. (5) Size:(at full bloom): (a) Length (base-tip dimension) -- usually ranging fromabout 22 to about 59 mm. (Avg.=3.6 mm.) (Dev.=10.73 mm.) (b) Width(maximum) -- Usually ranging from about 14 to about 24 mm. (Avg.=18.4mm.) (Dev.=1.98 mm.) (6) Color (at full bloom): (a) General -- Tepalswith a basal area that are usually dominated by a greenish white and/oryellow green hue immediately above the insertion on the outer membersand becoming white, pinkish white and/or pale pink inwardly in thewhorl. Marginal blade and blade center field areas that in color aredominated by a red hue which merges with the distally extending basalarea colors. (b) Basal area -- Inner members commonly white (2.5 R 9/0),pinkish white (5 R 9/1), and/or pale pink (5 R 9/2) along tube attachedareas. Outer members commonly greenish white (5 GY 9/1) and/or paleyellow green (5 GY 9/2). (c) Blade area -- Commonly strong red (5 R 5/12) and/or vivid red (5 R 4/14). (7) Orientation: Perpendicular to recurveat full bloom.

D. Tube forming series.--(1) General: Tepals basally united to formhollow perianth tube that is inserted on ovary and equipped at itsthroat with an irregular carina (keel). (2) Shape: (a) Perianth tube --Elongated and elipsoidal in cross section with the major ellipsoidalaxis usually generally normal to the plane of the supportingphylloclade. (b) Blades -- Nearly zygomorphic and thinly spatulate withrounded tips and entire margins having sparse irregular teeth in apexarea. (c) Carina (keel) -- Irregular and transcending. (3) Texture: (a)Perianth Tube -- Thick, succulent and slightly ribbed. (b) Blades --Translucent and silken. (c) Carina (keel) -- Fleshy. (4) Number: Usually8-9. (5) Size (at full bloom): (a) Perianth tube -- 1. Length(base-keel): Usually 32-37 mm. along tube axis. (Avg.=34.1 mm.)(Dev.=1.58) 2. Major Axis: Usually 13-15 mm. at throat interior.(Avg.=13.9 mm.) (Dev. 0.78 mm.) 3. Minor Axis: Usually 8-9 mm. at throatinterior. (Avg.=8.7 mm.) (Dev.=0.48 mm.) (b) Blades -- 1. Length (keel -tip): Usually 30-34 mm. (Avg.=32.4 mm.) (Dev.=1.09 mm.) 2. Width(maximum): Usually 15-22 mm. (Avg.=18.1 mm.) (Dev.=1.53 mm.) (6) Color(at full bloom): (a) Perianth Tube -- A basic field that is generallytranslucent and white with longitudinally extending, randomly arrangedstriations or streaks that in color are commonly pinkish white (5 R 9/1)and/or pale pink (5 R 9/2). The basic field is translucent and commonlywhite (2.5 R 9/0). (b) Blades -- A continuous marginal and center bladearea distally of the keel that in color is dominated by a red hue andwhich merges with a basal area distally of the keel that is usuallytranslucent and white. Commonly strong red (5 R 5/12) and/or vivid red(5 R 4/14) in the continuous marginal and center blade areas of theblade. Commonly pinkish white (5 R 9/1), pale pink (5 R 9/2), and/orwhite (2.5 R 9/0) in the basal area distally of the keel. (c) Carina(keel) -- Color usually dominated by a purplish pink hue. Commonly deeppurplish pink (5 RP 6/10) (2.5 RP 6/10). (7) Orientation: Acute torecurve with revolute tendencies.

E. Androecium (stamens).--(1) General: Numerous exerted and diadelphousstamens with one group having filaments basally fused to the perianthtube and the other group having filaments basally united to form anectary housing, thin annulus around the style and which is providedwith thin, deflexed, irregular, toothed margin or ruffle at the throatof the annulus. (2) Stamen number: (a) Tube attached group -- Usually47-72. (b) Basally united group -- Usually 18-22. (3) Filaments: (a)General -- Translucent with anther connective. (b) Shape -- Long,slender, terete. (c) Texture -- Glabrous and capillaceous. (d) Color --Commonly white (2.5 R 9/0) (2.5 R 9.5/0) over entire length. (e) Size(at full bloom) -- 1. Length: a. Tube attached group -- Usually 34-64mm. (Avg.=5.27 mm.) (Dev.=7.58 mm.) b. Basally united group -- Usually40-55 mm. (Avg.=47.0 mm.) (Dev.=4.52 mm.) 2. Diameter: Usually about0.25-0.50 mm. intermediate opposite ends. (4) Anthers: (a) General --Adnate with four longitudinally dehiscent pollen sacs and connectiveinserted at end. (b) Shape -- Elongated. (c) Texture -- Waxy. (d) Color(before dehiscence) -- Dominated by a yellow hue. Commonly pale yellow(5 Y 9/4) and/or light yellow (5 Y 9/6). (e) Sterility -- Sterile.

F. Gynoecium (pistil).--(1) General: Exerted and compound, parietalplacentation and united style surrounded by annular diffuse yellowishnectary at its insertion. (2) Style: (a) General -- Hollow, stout andinserted at ovary. (b) Shape -- Elongated and terete. (c) Texture --Fleshy and smooth. (d) Color -- Usually dominated by a purplish red hueat the basal end of the style and progressively varying to a colordominated by a purplish red, reddish purple, and/or purplish pink hue atthe distal end. Commonly moderate purlish red (5 RP 5/10) at the basalend and moderate purplish red (5 RP 5/10), deep purplish pink (5 RP6/10), and/or strong reddish purple (2.5 RP 5/10) at the distal end. (e)Size (at full bloom) -- 1. Length: Usually 59-71 mm. (Avg.=65.1 mm.)(Dev.=3.78 mm.) 2. Diameter: Usually 1.0-1.5 mm. intermediate oppositeends. (3) Stigma: (a) General -- Exerted and erect with usually 5-7inner marginally adhering lobes. (b) Shape -- Elongated and taperingtoward lobe tips and having relatively blunt apices. (c) Texture --Fleshy and smooth with inner sides of lobes having short glutinouscapillaceous hairs. (d) Color -- Usually dominated by a reddish purpleand/or purplish pink hue. Commonly light reddish purple (2.5 RP 6/8)and/or deep purplish pink (5 RP 6/10). (e) Size -- 1. Length: Usually4-6 mm. along inner margins. (4) Ovary: (a) General -- Inferior withthin epidermis and usually 4-5 carpels with numerous ovules. (b) Shape-- Terete to ovoid and generally broadening from insertion to floralend. (c) Texture -- Succulent with glabrous thin outer epidermis. (d)Color -- A basic field with color usually dominated by a yellow greenhue. Commonly moderate yellow green (2.5 GY 6/6) (2.5 GY 5/6) and/orstrong yellow green (2.5 GY 6.8). (e) Size -- 1. Length: Usually 8-10mm. from insertion to cavity base. (Avg.=9.0 mm.) (Dev.=0.71 mm.) 2.Major axis: Usually 10-12 mm. at distal end of concavity. (Avg.=11.2mm.) (Dev.=0.80 mm.) 3. Minor axis: Usually 9-11 mm. at distal end ofconcavity. (Avg.=10.0 mm.) (Dev.=0.71 mm.)

VIII. Growth habit: Erect.

General Description of a Plant Specimen

Age of plant: Six (6) months from initial propagation of singlephylloclade.

Branches from propagated phylloclade: One (1).

Total number of new phyllocaldes grown: Eight (8).

    ______________________________________    GENERAL:    Branch  Number of    Maximum      Number of    Number  Phylloclades Length       Tips    ______________________________________    1       8            51 mm.       3    ______________________________________    MIDRIBS:    Branch  Average      Average    Number  Midrib Length                         Midrib Thickness    ______________________________________    1       45.6 mm.     5.1 mm.    ______________________________________    WINGS:    Branch  Average Wing Average Wing    Number  Center Thickness                         Width (Maximum)    ______________________________________    1       2.1 mm.      17.3 mm.    ______________________________________    TEETH:                                      Average    Branch  Teeth (Avg.) Per                         Average Tooth                                      Areole To    Number  Phylloclade  Center Thickness                                      Apex Length    ______________________________________    1       10.0         1.4 mm.      8 · 5    ______________________________________

Phylloclade color: moderate yellow green (5 GY 5/6) (7.5 GY 5/6) andmoderate olive green (7.5 GY 4/6) (7.5 GY 4/4) (7.5 GY 3/4).

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF A FLOWER

The following is a general description of a flower of the new plantvariety and which bloomed in December on a 6 month old plant specimengrown under shaded greenhouse nursery conditions in Winter Garden, Fla.

Number of buds and blooms on plant specimen: 3.

Bloom life: 8 days.

Sepaloid series of tepals:

Number.--6.

Tepal size (at full bloom).--Maximum base-tip dimension: 19 mm. Minimumbase-tip dimension: 7 mm. Maximum width dimension: 12 mm.

Color (at full bloom).--Moderate red (5 R 5/10) and strong red (5 R5/12) in marginal and center field area of inner whorl members and paleyellow green (5 GY 9/2) and light yellow green (5 Gy 9/4) in the basalareas. Deep pink (5 R 6/10), moderate red (5 R 5/10), and strong red (5R 5/12) in marginal areas and merging with a center field and basal areathat is strong yellow green (5 GY 7/10) (2.5 GY 6/8) (5GY 6/8) in theouter members.

Tube laminating series of tepals:

Number.--8.

Size (at full bloom).--Maximum base-tip dimension: 57 mm. Minimumbase-tip dimension: 22 mm. Maximum blade width: 23 mm. Minimum bladewidth: 18 mm.

Color (at full bloom).--Inner members white (2.5 R 9/0) and pinkishwhite (5 R 9/1) with outer members being greenish white (5 GY 9/1) alongtube attached areas. Strong red (5 R 5/12) and vivid red (5 R 4/14) inthe blade and center field areas.

Tube forming series of tepals:

Number.--8.

Size (at full bloom).--Perianth tube: Length (base to keel) -- 35 mm.along the tube axis Major axis -- 14 mm. at throat interior. Minor axis-- 8 mm. at throat interior. Blades: Maximum length (keel-tip) -- 33 mm.Minimum lenth (keel-tip) -- 31 mm. Maximum blade width -- 20 mm. Minimumblade width -- 18 mm.

Color.--Perianth tube: A basic field that is generally translucent andwhite (2.5 R 9/0) with random striations of pinkish white (5 R 9/1) andpale pink (5 R 9/2). Blades: Strong red (5 R 5/12) and vivid red (5 R4/14) in the continuous marginal and center blade areas of the blade.Pinkish white (5 R 9/1) and white (5 R 9/0) in the basal area distallyof the keel.

Androecium:

Stamen number.--Tube attached group: 64. Basally united group: 21.

Filaments.--Color: White (2.5 R 9/0) (2.5 R 9.5/0).

Size (at full bloom).--Length -- Tube attached group: 55 mm. (avg).Basally united group: 48 mm. (avg). Diameter: About 0.25 mm.intermediate the opposite ends.

Anthers.--Color (before dehiscing): Pale yellow (5 Y 9/4) and lightyellow (5 Y 9/6).

Gynoecium (pistil):

Style.--Color: Moderate purplish red (5 RP 5/10) in basal area andmoderate purplish red (5 RP 5/10), deep purplish pink (5 RP 6/10), andstrong reddish purple (2.5 RP 5/10 ) in distal area. Size (at fullbloom): Length -- 68 mm. Diameter -- 1.5 mm. Stigma -- Color: Lightreddish purple (2.5 RP 6/8) and deep purplish pink (5 RP 6/10). Size: 6mm. (avg) lobe length. Ovary -- Color: moderate yellow green (2.5 GY6/6) (2.5 GY 5/6), and strong yellow green (2.5 GY 6/8). Size (at fullbloom): Length (insertion to concavity base) -- 10 mm. Major axis -- 11mm. at distal end of concavity. Minor axis -- 10 mm. at distal end ofconcavity.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct plant variety of the Cactaceae family asshown and described and which is mainly distinguished from itsantecedents and known related varieties by growth characteristics thatare similar to those of the `Kris Kringle ` variety but as modified bythe combination of the following characteristics:1. a more erect postureat maturity than the `Kris Kringle` variety;
 2. phylloclades which, incomparison to the `Kris Kringle` variety have (a) midribs with generallygreater thickness dimensions, (b) wings with generally greater thicknessand width dimensions, and (c) teeth with generally greater lengthdimensions and in larger number per phylloclade;
 3. flowers which, incomparison to the `Kris Kringle` variety, have (a) a tube laminatingtepal series with generally greater width dimensions, (b) a perianthtube that at the throat has a generally longer major axis, (c) a tubeforming series of tepals with generally greater width dimensions, (d) atube attached group of stamens that are generally fewer in number andgenerally greater in length dimensions, and (f) an ovary that at themajor and minor axis is generally greater in length.